Argentina updates regulation in microbial biotechnology

The Secretariat of Agribusiness of the Argentine government has renewed the laws that regulate microbial biotechnology, expanding the regulatory framework for genetically modified microorganisms.

The objective of the alteration is "to contribute to the development of new agricultural bio-inputs and the strengthening of the regulation of microbial biotechnology."

The regulations, published in the Official Gazette, modernize the procedures for the experimental release in the field, in greenhouses and biosafety boxes, under controlled conditions, of genetically modified microorganisms. The measure is implemented through the Food and Bioeconomy Secretariat.

The previous regulation, dating back to 1992, only referred to microorganisms used as veterinary vaccines. In contrast, the current regulations apply to any recombinant-DNA microorganism for agro-industrial use. It thus contemplates the enormous scientific-technological advances, the new applications and the regulatory experience accumulated during the last quarter of a century in this technological field. In addition, the aforementioned resolution addresses the policies on regulatory simplification and de-bureaucratization promoted by the Agroindustrial portfolio.

"It will allow, in turn, to deepen the research and development of new biological agro-inputs, through which higher productivity, production sustainability and industrialization with added value can be generated. The new regulatory criteria are clearer and more precise, requiring the necessary information to carry out an assertive, concise and scientifically rigorous evaluation, simultaneously achieving the expansion and optimization of the current regulatory process," explained the Argentine government.

"In this way, the old regulations of our biotechnology regulatory system were updated, strengthening it for the benefit of technological-productive development under a framework of controlled experimentation and safe use of new biotechnologies," the Secretary of Agribusiness said in conclusion.